Knee op

[Daisy2408]

I received my letter re shielding on the same day I had been for pre assessment for knee operation. The local hospital are using a private wing for orthopaedic surgery and my g p says government advice is go ahead. Can I have thoughts of community please. Daisy2408

[DorsetLady]

Go ahead.... hospitals have had plenty of time and money to make non-covid areas safe.

If you refuse, you may well go to the bottom of the list again, and that could mean another year, or more, of pain. Do you really want that?

[Daisy2408 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady. Just the sort of positivity I needed! Having been exhorted not to do this that and the other for so long one feels the bug lurking round every corner.

[DorsetLady in reply to Daisy2408]

Yes I know, it does make you question your own mind doesn't it.!

But having had knee replaced...and hip...and shoulder (just before first lockdown - by the skin of my teeth!) I know what it’s like to be in pain! So go for it...and good luck.

[Daisy2408 in reply to DorsetLady]

Would you mind telling me how you got on with stairs post op. We are having work done in the garden at present and the guys are using the downstairs loo which is easily accessed from garden. Do you think I will have to live upstairs for a while with my husband providing meals on trays? He has experience of doing so over the years, bless his cotton socks.

[Daisy2408 in reply to Daisy2408]

And gosh, you’ve been through the mill haven’t you. I hope you are well now.

[DorsetLady in reply to Daisy2408]

Good thanks ... shoulder still a bit painful and creaky when I lift arm up - but other than that okay. Unfortunately because of covid I only had one physio session - which I think hampered recovery. Hopefully they will be better organised on that from now.

Don’t even think about knee (Jul 18) or hip (Jan 19) nowadays - been up & down on kitchen steps this week sorting cupboards!

[Bcol]

Hi Daisy, have to agree completely with DL, if you turn it down now you could be waiting months or years. When I had mine done they wouldn't let me out of hospital until I could manage the stairs, albeit slowly. Really important to keep your knee very gently exercised and to follow all the exercises and physio they give you. You may not want to at the start and it may hurt a little, but it gets better and easier. I had mine done 20 years ago and it has given me a pretty much normal life. It was a life changer for me.

[Daisy2408 in reply to Bcol]

Thank you Bicol and very long Sunseaandsand with different thoughts. I am weighing up the whole situation and am so grateful for the input. Will let you know how things progress. Stay safe.

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi Daisy 2408

I understand your feelings and the position you are in at the moment.

We all have very different feelings about Covid-19.

With the situation as it is in the UK right now I can not agree with the replies you have had.

(Sorry ladies no disrespect)

I too am extremely clinically vulnerable and have been sheiding since March !!! ( my husband as also been sheilding to protect me)

During lockdown I have had 3 spinal fractures, which I will not go into but the pain and difficulties these have brought to myself and husband have been unimaginable.

I have also been waiting for tests for my heart some of which the hospital decided to put on hold and others I put on hold myself.

When I asked if I would go to the bottom f the list I was told a definite NO I would not.

This has been proved by that I have had further appointments sent to me that I have declined.

Each time I have called to cancel they have been understanding over this and my believe is that many people do not want to take an additional risk.

On the other hand I have not been able to go for scans or x rays on my spine because the consultant and doctor have said the risk is too high!!

I know I have new fractures because prior to these last 3, I had already got 4 in the spine, and the pain and disability they cause is unfortunately well known to myself. At these times I would have benefitied greatly with hospital care.

I could not take the risk though, my fractures were not going to kill me, but myself and family and my doctor know covid - 19 probably would.

I have made the choices myself I have not been swayed by anything anyone as said to me.

I have decided the risk is too great.

You may live in a part of the UK where the numbers are low.

The numbers where I live are at the moment high and still climbing.

I am prepared to sit the winter out in hope that at the end of it a vaccine will be well established.

Go with what is in your heart, what I would say is if you decide to go ahead and have the op now, be absolutely sure you are not going to be stressed about it in anyway.

Take care, stay safe and well.